Switch



Feb. 5, 1957 v. WALLACE 2,780,700

SWITCH Filed June l'?, 1954 w BY Hmm nite swrron Valton Wallace, Mesquite, Tex., assigner of iifty percent to Seymour Hootkins, Dallas, Terr.

This invention relates to a switch, and more speciiically provides a switch for use in low voltage, remote control systems.

An object of this invention is to provide a switch simple in construction, small in size, easy to install, well adapted for its intended purposes, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch having a sliding contact member in constant contact with a centrally disposed terminal and selectively in contact with a pair of longitudinally spaced terminals wherein the sliding Contact member will momentarily energize a double acting solenoid-type relay.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a switch for use in control systems especially adapted for use in doorways or the like.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinatter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the switch of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially along a plane passing through the longitudinal center line and showing the details of construction of the switch and the method of mounting the switch; and

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially along section line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the details of one of the contact rings.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral generally designates the switch of the present invention including a generally elongated tubular casing 12 which may be constructed of any suitable plastic or the like. The front or open end of the tubular member 12 is provided with internally threaded inserts 14 for receiving screw-threaded members 16 which secure a top i3 and a mounting plate 20 to the tubular member 12. The top 1S is provided with suitable apertures 22 for receiving the screw-threaded members i6, and the top i3 is also provided with an aperture 24 centrally thereof which is smaller than the tubular bore as indicated by the numeral 26 for a purpose described hereinafter. The mounting plate 2@ may be secured in recessed condition on a door jamb 2S or the like by suitable screws 30.

Positioned centrally in the bottom of the tubular bore 26 is an inwardly projecting stern 2v2 which is attached to the bottom of the bore 26 in any suitable manner, and the stem 32 is constructed of a conductive material and an electrical conductor 34 is secured thereto by a fastening means, such as screws 36. A compression coil spring 3S is positioned around the stern 32 and is engaged at one end with the bottom of the casing 12 and the other end abuts one end of a slidable contact mem- States Patent ber 40. The contact member 40 is provided with a longi tudinal bore 42 slidably received and in intimate contact with the stem 32. The outer surface of each end of the contact 40 is provided with a peripheral flange 44 and 46 for selective contact with contact rings 4S and 50 wherein the contact 48 is integrally formed with an electrical conductor 52 embedded in the casing 12 and the contact 50 is intimately formed with an electrical conductor 54 embedded in the casing 12. The electrical conductors 52 and 54 are secured to electrical conductors 56 and 58 by suitable screws in an obvious manner. An operating button 62 is seated against the forward end of the sliding contact 40 and projects outwardly through the aperture 24 in the top 18 and outwardly through the plate 20 for sliding movement therein. The operating button 62 is also provided with a shoulder 64 which engages a portion of the top 18, thereby securing the button 62 and the contact member 40 within the tubular bore 26. Obviously, by removing the screw 16, the device may be completely disassembled.

The casing or housing 12, together with the top 18 and button 62, should be constructed of non-conductive material while the contact member 32, the sliding member 40 and the contact rings 48 and 50 should be constructed of suitable conducting material such as copper or the like. Where no pressure is on the plunger 62, the switch 10 is disposed substantially as illustrated in Figure 2. When the door or other object is closed, the plunger or button 62 is moved inwardly wherein the flange 46 contacts the ring 50 and as the plunger 62 moves on inwardly, the iiange 44 engages the ring 48 wherein the stem 32 is constantly in engagement with the sliding contact member 40. In use, the switch l0 is connected to a double acting type relay and the relay will be actuated by one of the contact rings when the plunger moves inwardly and by another ot the contact rings when the plunger moves outwardly. It will be understood that the device may be used in any suitable voltage systems and for various uses.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further exv planation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modiiications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A switch comprising an elongated hollow housing, a pair of longitudinally spaced stationary contact members engageable from the interior of the housing, a slidable member disposed within said housing, a pair of longitudinally spaced contact members on said slidable member for movement therewith into engagement with selec tive stationary contact members, said movable contact members on the slidable member being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the stationary contact members thereby assuring that the movable contact members will engage only a single stationary contact member at any longitudinal position, a guide member rigid with said housing and engaging the slidable member for guiding the movement thereof, said guide member being electrically connected to said movable contact members, spring means urging said slidable member in one longitudinal direction, a push button for moving the slidable member longitudinally in the housing, and an independent electric conductor connected to each of said stationary contact members and said guide member for selectively establishing a closed circuit between the conductor connected to the guide member and the conductors connected to the stationary contact members.

Patentedl 5, l1957'` 2. A switch comprising a tubular casing, a slidable contact member disposed Within said casing, a pair of longitudinally spaced contact rings embedded in the tubular casing, an elongated guide stem positioned centrally in the casing for giding the movement of the sliding Contact member and being in constant contact thereivith for completing a circuit through selective contact rings, a compression lcoil spring surrounding said stem and engaging the sliding contact member for urging the same to a normal position, and an operating button slidable in and projecting from the end of said casing for engaging and actuating the sliding contact member, said contact member being tubular and slidably mounted on said stem,

said contact member having a peripheral flange on each end thereof for sliding engagement with the inner Wall of the casing and contacting the Contact rings, said flanges on the contact member being spaced apart a distance less 'than the distance between the contact rings, thereby assuring that an electrical circuit Will be energized through one contact ring at a time.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,608,108 Martus et al Nov. 23, 1926 2,454,342 Ross Nov. 23, 1948 2,572,335 Hafke Oct. 23, 1951 

